for a message to be immortal it does not have to be eternal and so for the next
have to be eternal and so for the next
have to be eternal and so for the next few moments I’ll just share as I am led
few moments I’ll just share as I am led
few moments I’ll just share as I am led first I want to tell you that it is an
first I want to tell you that it is an
first I want to tell you that it is an amazing gift
amazing gift
amazing gift what I’m about to tell you can only
what I’m about to tell you can only
what I’m about to tell you can only happen in America the story I’m about to
happen in America the story I’m about to
happen in America the story I’m about to tell you could only happen in America
tell you could only happen in America
tell you could only happen in America all my life however I have had heroes
all my life however I have had heroes
all my life however I have had heroes who have mentored me some of them I’ve
who have mentored me some of them I’ve
who have mentored me some of them I’ve never met so Winston Churchill was the
never met so Winston Churchill was the
never met so Winston Churchill was the hero
hero
hero who mentored me I’ll never forget in
who mentored me I’ll never forget in
who mentored me I’ll never forget in 1995 I took a trip to his gravesite
1995 I took a trip to his gravesite
1995 I took a trip to his gravesite beside a little Church in Oxford in
beside a little Church in Oxford in
beside a little Church in Oxford in England and early it was VE Day
England and early it was VE Day
England and early it was VE Day fifty years after the fall of the German
fifty years after the fall of the German
fifty years after the fall of the German Reich him I’ll never forget I was by
Reich him I’ll never forget I was by
Reich him I’ll never forget I was by this gravesite and there were floral
this gravesite and there were floral
this gravesite and there were floral tributes that had been left earlier that
tributes that had been left earlier that
tributes that had been left earlier that morning before I got there by freedom
morning before I got there by freedom
morning before I got there by freedom fighters from Greece and France and
fighters from Greece and France and
fighters from Greece and France and Norway who fifty years later could not
Norway who fifty years later could not
Norway who fifty years later could not forget what Sir Winston Churchill meant
forget what Sir Winston Churchill meant
forget what Sir Winston Churchill meant to the world in a critical hour of
to the world in a critical hour of
to the world in a critical hour of Earth’s history
Earth’s history
Earth’s history but there was one tribute that I did not
but there was one tribute that I did not
but there was one tribute that I did not disturb but I read it it was obviously
disturb but I read it it was obviously
disturb but I read it it was obviously written by an American it was on a
written by an American it was on a
written by an American it was on a single sheet of paper handwritten an
single sheet of paper handwritten an
single sheet of paper handwritten an American flag in the corner and this
American flag in the corner and this
American flag in the corner and this American was thanking Sir Winston
American was thanking Sir Winston
American was thanking Sir Winston Churchill for what he meant to the world
Churchill for what he meant to the world
Churchill for what he meant to the world and in it he closed
and in it he closed
and in it he closed with words of John F Kennedy about Sir
with words of John F Kennedy about Sir
with words of John F Kennedy about Sir Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill who once said of Churchill he
who once said of Churchill he
who once said of Churchill he commissioned the English language and
commissioned the English language and
commissioned the English language and sent it off to war
that’s what you do
that’s what you do commission language and sent it off to
commission language and sent it off to
commission language and sent it off to war some of the heroes have never met
war some of the heroes have never met
war some of the heroes have never met George Washington Carver did a
George Washington Carver did a
George Washington Carver did a documentary on his life you know who he
documentary on his life you know who he
documentary on his life you know who he is indebted peanut butter probably your
is indebted peanut butter probably your
is indebted peanut butter probably your hero too but he said one day he said he
hero too but he said one day he said he
hero too but he said one day he said he asks God to show him the mysteries of
asks God to show him the mysteries of
asks God to show him the mysteries of creation and God told him you can’t
creation and God told him you can’t
creation and God told him you can’t handle the mysteries of creation ask for
handle the mysteries of creation ask for
handle the mysteries of creation ask for something you can have he said then he
something you can have he said then he
something you can have he said then he asked God show me the mysteries of the
asked God show me the mysteries of the
asked God show me the mysteries of the peanut
another one of my heroes was dr. Martin
another one of my heroes was dr. Martin Luther King jr. I remember sitting
Luther King jr. I remember sitting
Luther King jr. I remember sitting watching a film Montgomery to Memphis
watching a film Montgomery to Memphis
watching a film Montgomery to Memphis black and white and hear this speech I
black and white and hear this speech I
black and white and hear this speech I have a dream and heard pathos like I’ve
have a dream and heard pathos like I’ve
have a dream and heard pathos like I’ve never heard it before and I resolved in
never heard it before and I resolved in
never heard it before and I resolved in my heart I wanted to be like that kind
my heart I wanted to be like that kind
my heart I wanted to be like that kind of man who was willing to even die for
of man who was willing to even die for
of man who was willing to even die for what he believed I’ve had heroes that
what he believed I’ve had heroes that
what he believed I’ve had heroes that I’ve never met hey I never met him but
I’ve never met hey I never met him but
I’ve never met hey I never met him but Luther Vandross was one of my events oh
Luther Vandross was one of my events oh
Luther Vandross was one of my events oh my goodness that man could paint a
my goodness that man could paint a
my goodness that man could paint a thousand colors in one song can I tell
thousand colors in one song can I tell
thousand colors in one song can I tell you something about singers if you may
you something about singers if you may
you something about singers if you may never know every singer in every song
never know every singer in every song
never know every singer in every song makes mistakes but the great ones
makes mistakes but the great ones
makes mistakes but the great ones the great ones know how to make a
the great ones know how to make a
the great ones know how to make a stumble look like a pirouette
the great ones dazzle you with their
the great ones dazzle you with their recovery and then I’ve had heroes that
recovery and then I’ve had heroes that
recovery and then I’ve had heroes that I’ve met and I’ve worked with it’s been
I’ve met and I’ve worked with it’s been
I’ve met and I’ve worked with it’s been my joy to know I was the last one to
my joy to know I was the last one to
my joy to know I was the last one to sing amazing grace for Mother Teresa
sing amazing grace for Mother Teresa
sing amazing grace for Mother Teresa before she died I was in the crowd that
before she died I was in the crowd that
before she died I was in the crowd that welcomed Nelson Mandela when he came out
welcomed Nelson Mandela when he came out
welcomed Nelson Mandela when he came out prison
prison
prison I was on an Eastern Airlines flight
I was on an Eastern Airlines flight
I was on an Eastern Airlines flight years remember them years ago Los
years remember them years ago Los
years remember them years ago Los Angeles to Atlanta big l-1011 always
Angeles to Atlanta big l-1011 always
Angeles to Atlanta big l-1011 always used to fly like that you know and I saw
used to fly like that you know and I saw
used to fly like that you know and I saw this lady and flight attendant she
this lady and flight attendant she
this lady and flight attendant she looked a little discouraged so I went
looked a little discouraged so I went
looked a little discouraged so I went back to my seat and I got a cassette of
back to my seat and I got a cassette of
back to my seat and I got a cassette of my first album
my first album
my first album remember cassia and I said to her you
remember cassia and I said to her you
remember cassia and I said to her you know I just feel impressed to give this
know I just feel impressed to give this
know I just feel impressed to give this to you
to you
to you the kind of music I sing is
the kind of music I sing is
the kind of music I sing is inspirational music she said thank you
inspirational music she said thank you
inspirational music she said thank you so much
so much
so much she said I travel with a cassette player
she said I travel with a cassette player
she said I travel with a cassette player and she said thank you I’ve been having
and she said thank you I’ve been having
and she said thank you I’ve been having a rough time and this will be really a
a rough time and this will be really a
a rough time and this will be really a blessing
blessing
blessing three days later she’s working another
three days later she’s working another
three days later she’s working another flight and runs into a man who’s on the
flight and runs into a man who’s on the
flight and runs into a man who’s on the flight by the name of cliff barrows who
flight by the name of cliff barrows who
flight by the name of cliff barrows who directed all the choirs and the music
directed all the choirs and the music
directed all the choirs and the music for the Billy Graham Crusades for about
for the Billy Graham Crusades for about
for the Billy Graham Crusades for about fifty years she says mr. barrows is such
fifty years she says mr. barrows is such
fifty years she says mr. barrows is such an honor to have you on my flight she
an honor to have you on my flight she
an honor to have you on my flight she said but can I ask you something have
said but can I ask you something have
said but can I ask you something have you ever heard of a young man by the
you ever heard of a young man by the
you ever heard of a young man by the name of wintley phipps
name of wintley phipps
name of wintley phipps she said he said no I I’ve never heard
she said he said no I I’ve never heard
she said he said no I I’ve never heard of him she says hold on a minute she
of him she says hold on a minute she
of him she says hold on a minute she went to her purse and got that cassette
went to her purse and got that cassette
went to her purse and got that cassette and handed it to him saying this has
and handed it to him saying this has
and handed it to him saying this has been a blessing to me but I want you to
been a blessing to me but I want you to
been a blessing to me but I want you to have it three weeks later I got a call
have it three weeks later I got a call
have it three weeks later I got a call from cliff bear saying we want you to
from cliff bear saying we want you to
from cliff bear saying we want you to become one of the soloists with the
become one of the soloists with the
become one of the soloists with the Billy Graham Crusades for 25 years
Billy Graham Crusades for 25 years
Billy Graham Crusades for 25 years for 25 years it has been my honor to
for 25 years it has been my honor to
for 25 years it has been my honor to travel all over this country in some
travel all over this country in some
travel all over this country in some other parts of the world with great hero
other parts of the world with great hero
other parts of the world with great hero of mine and so some of the heroes I’ve
of mine and so some of the heroes I’ve
of mine and so some of the heroes I’ve met and some I haven’t one of the things
met and some I haven’t one of the things
met and some I haven’t one of the things I must tell you about those heroes
I must tell you about those heroes
I must tell you about those heroes though they inspired me to dream
though they inspired me to dream
though they inspired me to dream they inspired me to dream
they inspired me to dream
they inspired me to dream but my greatest heroes our names you may
but my greatest heroes our names you may
but my greatest heroes our names you may never know Elaine
never know Elaine
never know Elaine that was my mother’s name
that was my mother’s name
that was my mother’s name when she saw that I had this gift and
when she saw that I had this gift and
when she saw that I had this gift and drive she wanted to channel it right so
drive she wanted to channel it right so
drive she wanted to channel it right so she bought me
she bought me
she bought me some temptations Cosette and I became
some temptations Cosette and I became
some temptations Cosette and I became the temptations all by myself
I could do I can turn on gray sky blue
I could do I can turn on gray sky blue whatever that is all the voices you know
whatever that is all the voices you know
whatever that is all the voices you know oh I forgot to tell you about two other
oh I forgot to tell you about two other
oh I forgot to tell you about two other heroes that I met growing up in the 60s
okay
okay growing up in the 60s I confess I wanted
growing up in the 60s I confess I wanted
growing up in the 60s I confess I wanted to be another Sly Stone but then I met
to be another Sly Stone but then I met
to be another Sly Stone but then I met sly and he was stone and I said no
sly and he was stone and I said no
sly and he was stone and I said no something’s wrong with this picture
something’s wrong with this picture
something’s wrong with this picture my hero is incoherent and then I would
my hero is incoherent and then I would
my hero is incoherent and then I would get a microphone and I practice singing
get a microphone and I practice singing
get a microphone and I practice singing like my new musical hero I’d walk around
like my new musical hero I’d walk around
like my new musical hero I’d walk around the house again
the house again
the house again it’s not unusual to be loved by anyone
it’s not unusual to be loved by anyone
it’s not unusual to be loved by anyone oh I want to be Tom Jones so bad but I
oh I want to be Tom Jones so bad but I
oh I want to be Tom Jones so bad but I met Tom Jones I was 15 years old can I
met Tom Jones I was 15 years old can I
met Tom Jones I was 15 years old can I tell you something about Canada that I
tell you something about Canada that I
tell you something about Canada that I love about Canada Canada’s always kind
love about Canada Canada’s always kind
love about Canada Canada’s always kind of 10 years behind America in its
of 10 years behind America in its
of 10 years behind America in its innocence
innocence
innocence you can get away with stuff ten years
you can get away with stuff ten years
you can get away with stuff ten years longer and I’m in Canada then you can’t
longer and I’m in Canada then you can’t
longer and I’m in Canada then you can’t anyway well let me explain it this way I
anyway well let me explain it this way I
anyway well let me explain it this way I had a job one time a summer job selling
had a job one time a summer job selling
had a job one time a summer job selling ladies dresses in Canada door-to-door I
had a rack a dresses and I’d knocked on
had a rack a dresses and I’d knocked on the door and they open the door and let
the door and they open the door and let
the door and they open the door and let me in and look at all the different
me in and look at all the different
me in and look at all the different styles and stuff and if they found the
styles and stuff and if they found the
styles and stuff and if they found the size they wanted they would go in the
size they wanted they would go in the
size they wanted they would go in the back room while I was in the house try
back room while I was in the house try
back room while I was in the house try it on and if they liked it pay me for it
it on and if they liked it pay me for it
it on and if they liked it pay me for it right there now you know you couldn’t do
right there now you know you couldn’t do
right there now you know you couldn’t do that in America so I love Kevin
but some of the heroes I’ve been blessed
but some of the heroes I’ve been blessed and one of them was my mother she was an
and one of them was my mother she was an
and one of them was my mother she was an incredible human being I want you to
incredible human being I want you to
incredible human being I want you to meet perhaps one of the greatest heroes
meet perhaps one of the greatest heroes
meet perhaps one of the greatest heroes of my life she happens to be here today
of my life she happens to be here today
of my life she happens to be here today it’s my wife of 34 years Linda well you
it’s my wife of 34 years Linda well you
it’s my wife of 34 years Linda well you mind saying hello to Linda Linda will
mind saying hello to Linda Linda will
mind saying hello to Linda Linda will you stand
I chased until she caught me and I told
I chased until she caught me and I told her she ever leaves me I’m going with it
her she ever leaves me I’m going with it
her she ever leaves me I’m going with it but my wife is an incredible human being
but my wife is an incredible human being
but my wife is an incredible human being I’ll tell you a little bit about her
I’ll tell you a little bit about her
I’ll tell you a little bit about her later but she is you know it’s nice to
later but she is you know it’s nice to
later but she is you know it’s nice to be married for 34 years and look 34 and
be married for 34 years and look 34 and
be married for 34 years and look 34 and she’s the only woman I know that has
she’s the only woman I know that has
she’s the only woman I know that has been kissed by the man who loves her on
been kissed by the man who loves her on
been kissed by the man who loves her on every continent of the world except
every continent of the world except
every continent of the world except Antarctica
Antarctica
Antarctica she has been kissed in China in
she has been kissed in China in
she has been kissed in China in Australia in Africa in South America in
Australia in Africa in South America in
Australia in Africa in South America in Europe a and then green best my life
Europe a and then green best my life
Europe a and then green best my life thank God for the heroes who inspire us
thank God for the heroes who inspire us
thank God for the heroes who inspire us to dream and invest in us another name
to dream and invest in us another name
to dream and invest in us another name you never know from unison Michigan
you never know from unison Michigan
you never know from unison Michigan up in the U P in 1972 I got ready to go
up in the U P in 1972 I got ready to go
up in the U P in 1972 I got ready to go to Oakwood college in Huntsville Alabama
to Oakwood college in Huntsville Alabama
to Oakwood college in Huntsville Alabama I hitched a ride from Canada to Alabama
I hitched a ride from Canada to Alabama
I hitched a ride from Canada to Alabama to go to school and I got there and I
to go to school and I got there and I
to go to school and I got there and I love I’ve never seen the school but I
love I’ve never seen the school but I
love I’ve never seen the school but I loved it when I saw it and I went to the
loved it when I saw it and I went to the
loved it when I saw it and I went to the counter and I said I didn’t apply but I
counter and I said I didn’t apply but I
counter and I said I didn’t apply but I want to register
lady said what did you say your name was
lady said what did you say your name was I said my name is wintley phipps she
I said my name is wintley phipps she
I said my name is wintley phipps she said hold on a minute she went to the
said hold on a minute she went to the
said hold on a minute she went to the back she came out she said there’s a
back she came out she said there’s a
back she came out she said there’s a ledger card here with your name on it
ledger card here with your name on it
ledger card here with your name on it with a credit of six hundred and thirty
with a credit of six hundred and thirty
with a credit of six hundred and thirty three dollars everything you need to
three dollars everything you need to
three dollars everything you need to register this lady from unasyn Michigan
register this lady from unasyn Michigan
register this lady from unasyn Michigan heard I was driving down to this school
heard I was driving down to this school
heard I was driving down to this school and sent them money down so I can get in
and sent them money down so I can get in
and sent them money down so I can get in school I was there for four years in
school I was there for four years in
school I was there for four years in college and she never sent me any more
college and she never sent me any more
college and she never sent me any more money but every Mother’s Day she heard
money but every Mother’s Day she heard
money but every Mother’s Day she heard from me every Christmas she heard from
from me every Christmas she heard from
from me every Christmas she heard from me I graduated went on to the seminary
me I graduated went on to the seminary
me I graduated went on to the seminary and I was doing a master’s degree and
and I was doing a master’s degree and
and I was doing a master’s degree and she called me one day she said hey how’s
she called me one day she said hey how’s
she called me one day she said hey how’s your bum coming as an album what
your bum coming as an album what
your bum coming as an album what happened she said what’s the hold up
happened she said what’s the hold up
happened she said what’s the hold up guys know how it just cost so much money
guys know how it just cost so much money
guys know how it just cost so much money she said what’s it gonna cost I said I
she said what’s it gonna cost I said I
she said what’s it gonna cost I said I just picked out the largest figure ever
just picked out the largest figure ever
just picked out the largest figure ever said with my mouth I said at least ten
said with my mouth I said at least ten
said with my mouth I said at least ten thousand dollars she said oh I’ll give
thousand dollars she said oh I’ll give
thousand dollars she said oh I’ll give you ten thousand dollars and in 1978
you ten thousand dollars and in 1978
you ten thousand dollars and in 1978 this lady brought out a check for
this lady brought out a check for
this lady brought out a check for $10,000 and that’s how my singing
$10,000 and that’s how my singing
$10,000 and that’s how my singing recording career began
recording career began
recording career began from unis English I can’t name it all
from unis English I can’t name it all
from unis English I can’t name it all the heroes William Warfield I’ve heard
the heroes William Warfield I’ve heard
the heroes William Warfield I’ve heard that name married to Linton price you
that name married to Linton price you
that name married to Linton price you know he had to be able to sing William
know he had to be able to sing William
know he had to be able to sing William Warfield I remember going to visit him
Warfield I remember going to visit him
Warfield I remember going to visit him he was a teacher in Champaign Urbana and
he was a teacher in Champaign Urbana and
he was a teacher in Champaign Urbana and there he said I said to him I don’t know
there he said I said to him I don’t know
there he said I said to him I don’t know what I’m doing I’m just singing he said
what I’m doing I’m just singing he said
what I’m doing I’m just singing he said I don’t know how you’re doing it but
I don’t know how you’re doing it but
I don’t know how you’re doing it but you’re doing a lot of things right
you’re doing a lot of things right
you’re doing a lot of things right except my dad used to say if you got a
except my dad used to say if you got a
except my dad used to say if you got a car that’s running right don’t give it a
car that’s running right don’t give it a
car that’s running right don’t give it a tune-up just leave it alone
tune-up just leave it alone
tune-up just leave it alone he said I’d leave it alone don’t let
he said I’d leave it alone don’t let
he said I’d leave it alone don’t let nobody touch that another one of my
nobody touch that another one of my
nobody touch that another one of my heroes that is invested into my life was
heroes that is invested into my life was
heroes that is invested into my life was a man by the name of Alex Haley who
a man by the name of Alex Haley who
a man by the name of Alex Haley who wrote the book roots I’ll never forget
wrote the book roots I’ll never forget
wrote the book roots I’ll never forget before he died he is to keep in his
before he died he is to keep in his
before he died he is to keep in his office a picture of a turtle sitting on
office a picture of a turtle sitting on
office a picture of a turtle sitting on a fence he said that was his way of
a fence he said that was his way of
a fence he said that was his way of reminding himself that he didn’t get
reminding himself that he didn’t get
reminding himself that he didn’t get there on his own
a hero who invested in my life and you
a hero who invested in my life and you know as I looked at all of those heroes
know as I looked at all of those heroes
know as I looked at all of those heroes I found a common gene you’ll probably
I found a common gene you’ll probably
I found a common gene you’ll probably hear about it in the scientific journals
hear about it in the scientific journals
hear about it in the scientific journals it’s the HP LP gene they all have it
it’s the HP LP gene they all have it
it’s the HP LP gene they all have it helping people live their potential
helping people live their potential
helping people live their potential and you got it helping people live their
and you got it helping people live their
and you got it helping people live their potential and since that day when I
potential and since that day when I
potential and since that day when I don’t know the day or the hour but I
don’t know the day or the hour but I
don’t know the day or the hour but I caught that gene just like you had I got
caught that gene just like you had I got
caught that gene just like you had I got it and for the last 40 years I’ve spent
it and for the last 40 years I’ve spent
it and for the last 40 years I’ve spent my life on planes I’ve traveled more
my life on planes I’ve traveled more
my life on planes I’ve traveled more mile the other day i sat down in my
mile the other day i sat down in my
mile the other day i sat down in my house opened a book to read and I
house opened a book to read and I
house opened a book to read and I reached from my seat belt and I was
reached from my seat belt and I was
reached from my seat belt and I was fishing for it that’s a lord No
I’ve been in a plane crash Spokane
I’ve been in a plane crash Spokane Washington private plane came over the
Washington private plane came over the
Washington private plane came over the Cascade Mountains it was dark and
Cascade Mountains it was dark and
Cascade Mountains it was dark and raining we crashed on the tarmac the
raining we crashed on the tarmac the
raining we crashed on the tarmac the pilot had forgotten to put the wheels
pilot had forgotten to put the wheels
pilot had forgotten to put the wheels down the other day I was flying from
down the other day I was flying from
down the other day I was flying from here Orlando to Cleveland in the middle
here Orlando to Cleveland in the middle
here Orlando to Cleveland in the middle of the flight I felt the plane shake
of the flight I felt the plane shake
of the flight I felt the plane shake like I never felt a plane shake before
like I never felt a plane shake before
like I never felt a plane shake before and I heard a sound that I had you know
and I heard a sound that I had you know
and I heard a sound that I had you know how when you fly a lot you listen come
how when you fly a lot you listen come
how when you fly a lot you listen come on now you listen for everything cuz you
on now you listen for everything cuz you
on now you listen for everything cuz you know and I heard a sound I’d never heard
know and I heard a sound I’d never heard
know and I heard a sound I’d never heard before it went something like this and
before it went something like this and
before it went something like this and the flight attendant was pushing the
the flight attendant was pushing the
the flight attendant was pushing the cart beside me and she stunned and I
cart beside me and she stunned and I
cart beside me and she stunned and I heard her say Oh No
this does not sound good she she started
this does not sound good she she started backing up she stowed it away
backing up she stowed it away
backing up she stowed it away and after she stowed it away the pilot
and after she stowed it away the pilot
and after she stowed it away the pilot came on said ladies and gentlemen we
came on said ladies and gentlemen we
came on said ladies and gentlemen we have an emergency
have an emergency
have an emergency we’ve lost our number one engine you got
we’ve lost our number one engine you got
we’ve lost our number one engine you got to know we were reasonable people so I’m
to know we were reasonable people so I’m
to know we were reasonable people so I’m calculating we only had two were they
calculating we only had two were they
calculating we only had two were they serviced together you know I’m asking
serviced together you know I’m asking
serviced together you know I’m asking for pertinent questions
for pertinent questions
for pertinent questions and the plane got deathly quiet after a
and the plane got deathly quiet after a
and the plane got deathly quiet after a while
while
while flight attendant told the pilot that we
flight attendant told the pilot that we
flight attendant told the pilot that we were really scared so he got back on to
were really scared so he got back on to
were really scared so he got back on to comfort us he said ladies gentlemen I
comfort us he said ladies gentlemen I
comfort us he said ladies gentlemen I understand that you’re really concerned
understand that you’re really concerned
understand that you’re really concerned but we’ve radioed ahead to Atlanta
but we’ve radioed ahead to Atlanta
but we’ve radioed ahead to Atlanta they’ve cleared the airspace we’re gonna
they’ve cleared the airspace we’re gonna
they’ve cleared the airspace we’re gonna go in he said oh no I that I don’t want
go in he said oh no I that I don’t want
go in he said oh no I that I don’t want you to worry
you to worry
you to worry he said I’ve done this many times before
that’s like I slept the Holiday Inn
that’s like I slept the Holiday Inn Express last night it we’re gonna do
Express last night it we’re gonna do
Express last night it we’re gonna do surgery and so and I’ve been spending my
surgery and so and I’ve been spending my
surgery and so and I’ve been spending my life powered by that gene the HP LPG
life powered by that gene the HP LPG
life powered by that gene the HP LPG helping people live their potential I’ve
helping people live their potential I’ve
helping people live their potential I’ve been touching lives all over got on the
been touching lives all over got on the
been touching lives all over got on the plane another I used to fly Eastern a
plane another I used to fly Eastern a
plane another I used to fly Eastern a lot fly Los Angeles didn’t land again so
lot fly Los Angeles didn’t land again so
lot fly Los Angeles didn’t land again so this lady recognized who she was went
this lady recognized who she was went
this lady recognized who she was went back to my seat got a cassette knelt
back to my seat got a cassette knelt
back to my seat got a cassette knelt down beside I said you’re not feeling
down beside I said you’re not feeling
down beside I said you’re not feeling pressed to give this to you she said
pressed to give this to you she said
pressed to give this to you she said thank you so much she said traveled a
thank you so much she said traveled a
thank you so much she said traveled a little Walkman here and I can play this
little Walkman here and I can play this
little Walkman here and I can play this tape you give me as I travel the plane
tape you give me as I travel the plane
tape you give me as I travel the plane landed she’s standing in the jet way
landed she’s standing in the jet way
landed she’s standing in the jet way waiting for me she takes my hand she
waiting for me she takes my hand she
waiting for me she takes my hand she squeezes it her eyes and misty she says
squeezes it her eyes and misty she says
squeezes it her eyes and misty she says thank you so much god bless you that
thank you so much god bless you that
thank you so much god bless you that lady was Natalie Wood a few days before
lady was Natalie Wood a few days before
lady was Natalie Wood a few days before she drive and when I heard that she
she drive and when I heard that she
she drive and when I heard that she drowned I was shaken but I knew it
drowned I was shaken but I knew it
drowned I was shaken but I knew it wasn’t by accident that our paths would
wasn’t by accident that our paths would
wasn’t by accident that our paths would cross I cannot begin to tell you the
cross I cannot begin to tell you the
cross I cannot begin to tell you the lives
lives
lives I’m singing in Baltimore Maryland 29
I’m singing in Baltimore Maryland 29
I’m singing in Baltimore Maryland 29 years ago come down off the platform
years ago come down off the platform
years ago come down off the platform young lady is standing there she says
young lady is standing there she says
young lady is standing there she says excuse me sir I just heard you sing and
excuse me sir I just heard you sing and
excuse me sir I just heard you sing and I’m really discouraged she’s about to be
I’m really discouraged she’s about to be
I’m really discouraged she’s about to be fired from her job she said I feel like
fired from her job she said I feel like
fired from her job she said I feel like I can talk to you do you have time to
I can talk to you do you have time to
I can talk to you do you have time to talk to me I said sure
talk to me I said sure
talk to me I said sure she came by our home we prayed together
she came by our home we prayed together
she came by our home we prayed together and after praying with her I looked at
and after praying with her I looked at
and after praying with her I looked at her and I said you know before you go I
her and I said you know before you go I
her and I said you know before you go I don’t know why but God has impressed me
don’t know why but God has impressed me
don’t know why but God has impressed me today he’s gonna bless you give you an
today he’s gonna bless you give you an
today he’s gonna bless you give you an opportunity to speak to millions of
opportunity to speak to millions of
opportunity to speak to millions of people she said no you think God to do
people she said no you think God to do
people she said no you think God to do that for me and it was Oprah Winfrey
that for me and it was Oprah Winfrey
that for me and it was Oprah Winfrey that’s how we met 29 years ago this
that’s how we met 29 years ago this
that’s how we met 29 years ago this story I’m telling could only happen in
story I’m telling could only happen in
story I’m telling could only happen in America I’m singing in Birmingham
America I’m singing in Birmingham
America I’m singing in Birmingham Alabama 20 years ago
they announced that the governor’s
they announced that the governor’s coming i strict on my tire brushed on my
coming i strict on my tire brushed on my
coming i strict on my tire brushed on my suit and they brought in bill clinton
suit and they brought in bill clinton
suit and they brought in bill clinton and i didn’t know who he was since I was
and i didn’t know who he was since I was
and i didn’t know who he was since I was in Birmingham they said the governor’s
in Birmingham they said the governor’s
in Birmingham they said the governor’s coming I assumed he was the Governor of
coming I assumed he was the Governor of
coming I assumed he was the Governor of Alabama so when they put him beside me I
Alabama so when they put him beside me I
Alabama so when they put him beside me I went into this long story with him of
went into this long story with him of
went into this long story with him of how much I love Alabama and with her
how much I love Alabama and with her
how much I love Alabama and with her great state Alabama is and and I noticed
great state Alabama is and and I noticed
great state Alabama is and and I noticed he’s puzzled you know why am i extolling
he’s puzzled you know why am i extolling
he’s puzzled you know why am i extolling the virtues of Alabama and when the
the virtues of Alabama and when the
the virtues of Alabama and when the evening wore on they made the
evening wore on they made the
evening wore on they made the introductions that’s when it dawned on
introductions that’s when it dawned on
introductions that’s when it dawned on me old old is the governor of Arkansas
me old old is the governor of Arkansas
me old old is the governor of Arkansas I sang he spoke I didn’t see him again
I sang he spoke I didn’t see him again
I sang he spoke I didn’t see him again until about four months before the
until about four months before the
until about four months before the election in 1992 I was singing somewhere
election in 1992 I was singing somewhere
election in 1992 I was singing somewhere he walked into the room campaigning I
he walked into the room campaigning I
he walked into the room campaigning I thought that was my chance to fix it let
thought that was my chance to fix it let
thought that was my chance to fix it let him know I love Arkansas too sir
him know I love Arkansas too sir
him know I love Arkansas too sir I walked I said governor you probably
I walked I said governor you probably
I walked I said governor you probably don’t know me or remember me said I
don’t know me or remember me said I
don’t know me or remember me said I remember you you sang for me a year ago
remember you you sang for me a year ago
remember you you sang for me a year ago in Birmingham Alabama so how could you
in Birmingham Alabama so how could you
in Birmingham Alabama so how could you remember that he’s a how could I forget
and after I sang I’ve been blessed to
and after I sang I’ve been blessed to sing for every president since Ronald
sing for every president since Ronald
sing for every president since Ronald Reagan sat at the breakfast tables with
Reagan sat at the breakfast tables with
Reagan sat at the breakfast tables with every president of the United States
every president of the United States
every president of the United States since Ronald Reagan and after I sang for
since Ronald Reagan and after I sang for
since Ronald Reagan and after I sang for Clinton’s first breakfast he sent me a
Clinton’s first breakfast he sent me a
Clinton’s first breakfast he sent me a beautiful handwritten note thanking me
beautiful handwritten note thanking me
beautiful handwritten note thanking me for my ministry and the music how much
for my ministry and the music how much
for my ministry and the music how much he was blessed by it and he signed it
he was blessed by it and he signed it
he was blessed by it and he signed it with thanks Bill Clinton governor of
with thanks Bill Clinton governor of
with thanks Bill Clinton governor of Alabama
only in America and then I’ll tell you
only in America and then I’ll tell you little sidebar to that story when the
little sidebar to that story when the
little sidebar to that story when the Monica Lewinsky story broke
Monica Lewinsky story broke
Monica Lewinsky story broke I watched him aging in front of my very
I watched him aging in front of my very
I watched him aging in front of my very eyes but I was able at a next venue tell
eyes but I was able at a next venue tell
eyes but I was able at a next venue tell you how I was able to intervene and he
you how I was able to intervene and he
you how I was able to intervene and he was able because of influence to go
was able because of influence to go
was able because of influence to go before the American people nudged by
before the American people nudged by
before the American people nudged by something I’d sent him to say for the
something I’d sent him to say for the
something I’d sent him to say for the first time to the world I did sin I was
first time to the world I did sin I was
first time to the world I did sin I was wrong
wrong
wrong only in America and I’m an
only in America and I’m an
only in America and I’m an equal-opportunity guy I do stuff for
equal-opportunity guy I do stuff for
equal-opportunity guy I do stuff for Democrats and Republicans I sang for
Democrats and Republicans I sang for
Democrats and Republicans I sang for this big function one time where
this big function one time where
this big function one time where President Clinton spoke and the very
President Clinton spoke and the very
President Clinton spoke and the very same day I had to rush across town and
same day I had to rush across town and
same day I had to rush across town and sing for this big Republican function
sing for this big Republican function
sing for this big Republican function same night and when I got there I
same night and when I got there I
same night and when I got there I announced that I had just come from
announced that I had just come from
announced that I had just come from singing for the President of the United
singing for the President of the United
singing for the President of the United States there was this boo and rumblin
States there was this boo and rumblin
States there was this boo and rumblin that went through the audience I said
that went through the audience I said
that went through the audience I said wait a minute wait a minute I always go
wait a minute wait a minute I always go
wait a minute wait a minute I always go where people really need the Lord
and there was this polite applause just
and there was this polite applause just like here tonight and then I said and
like here tonight and then I said and
like here tonight and then I said and that’s why I’m here I got that gene
that’s why I’m here I got that gene
that’s why I’m here I got that gene helping people live their potential
helping people live their potential
helping people live their potential so I’m on a train Amtrak Baltimore to
so I’m on a train Amtrak Baltimore to
so I’m on a train Amtrak Baltimore to Philadelphia on Amtrak when you don’t
Philadelphia on Amtrak when you don’t
Philadelphia on Amtrak when you don’t want somebody to sit next to you you
want somebody to sit next to you you
want somebody to sit next to you you know what you do you camp out you put
know what you do you camp out you put
know what you do you camp out you put your briefcase in front of you your
your briefcase in front of you your
your briefcase in front of you your papers all around you send a message
papers all around you send a message
papers all around you send a message buying someplace else to sit well this
buying someplace else to sit well this
buying someplace else to sit well this man had camped out but he looked really
man had camped out but he looked really
man had camped out but he looked really discouraged to me so I walked up to my
discouraged to me so I walked up to my
discouraged to me so I walked up to my said is anybody sitting next to he
said is anybody sitting next to he
said is anybody sitting next to he smiled filled up his papers and it was
smiled filled up his papers and it was
smiled filled up his papers and it was Chuck Colson of Watergate Fame who went
Chuck Colson of Watergate Fame who went
Chuck Colson of Watergate Fame who went to prison for the Watergate scandal and
to prison for the Watergate scandal and
to prison for the Watergate scandal and came out and started this incredible
came out and started this incredible
came out and started this incredible organization ministering to people in
organization ministering to people in
organization ministering to people in prison he began to take me into the
prison he began to take me into the
prison he began to take me into the prisons with him to sing and I was
prisons with him to sing and I was
prisons with him to sing and I was shaken by what I saw I did not know that
shaken by what I saw I did not know that
shaken by what I saw I did not know that one of every three young men in America
one of every three young men in America
one of every three young men in America between the ages of 18 and 30 who looked
between the ages of 18 and 30 who looked
between the ages of 18 and 30 who looked like my sons are now in prison in
like my sons are now in prison in
like my sons are now in prison in America one of every three I went to one
America one of every three I went to one
America one of every three I went to one prison in Richland South Carolina and
prison in Richland South Carolina and
prison in Richland South Carolina and greeting the young men talking to them
greeting the young men talking to them
greeting the young men talking to them and just for a moment I felt like I was
and just for a moment I felt like I was
and just for a moment I felt like I was at Morehouse or on a black college
at Morehouse or on a black college
at Morehouse or on a black college campus I was shaken and so I began an
campus I was shaken and so I began an
campus I was shaken and so I began an organization
organization
organization call the US Dream Academy and we now
call the US Dream Academy and we now
call the US Dream Academy and we now tutor and mentor children whose parents
tutor and mentor children whose parents
tutor and mentor children whose parents are incarcerated because we found that
are incarcerated because we found that
are incarcerated because we found that that 70% of the kids who end up in
that 70% of the kids who end up in
that 70% of the kids who end up in prison come from the children of prison
and we have cinders in Washington
and we have cinders in Washington Baltimore Philadelphia New Jersey
Baltimore Philadelphia New Jersey
Baltimore Philadelphia New Jersey Houston Memphis Salt Lake City Los
Houston Memphis Salt Lake City Los
Houston Memphis Salt Lake City Los Angeles Indianapolis Orlando and now I
Angeles Indianapolis Orlando and now I
Angeles Indianapolis Orlando and now I live my dream because I got the HP LPG
live my dream because I got the HP LPG
live my dream because I got the HP LPG helping people live their potential I
helping people live their potential I
helping people live their potential I started I didn’t realize how expensive
started I didn’t realize how expensive
started I didn’t realize how expensive it would be
had to raise I have to raise $400,000 a
had to raise I have to raise $400,000 a month every month
but you know when you treat people with
but you know when you treat people with respect when you don’t know who they are
respect when you don’t know who they are
respect when you don’t know who they are or where they’re going or what they can
or where they’re going or what they can
or where they’re going or what they can do for you one day so in 2008 and 2009
do for you one day so in 2008 and 2009
do for you one day so in 2008 and 2009 with tough fundraising years for
with tough fundraising years for
with tough fundraising years for charities we have a fundraising dinner
charities we have a fundraising dinner
charities we have a fundraising dinner each year for about a million dollars we
each year for about a million dollars we
each year for about a million dollars we try to raise a million dollars at this
try to raise a million dollars at this
try to raise a million dollars at this dinner because we need every bit of it
dinner because we need every bit of it
dinner because we need every bit of it 2008 we set the goal at 1.3 million to
2008 we set the goal at 1.3 million to
2008 we set the goal at 1.3 million to raise seven days before I’m sitting at
raise seven days before I’m sitting at
raise seven days before I’m sitting at 500 thousand and I’m agonizing I need
500 thousand and I’m agonizing I need
500 thousand and I’m agonizing I need well at eight hundred thousand I need a
well at eight hundred thousand I need a
well at eight hundred thousand I need a five hundred thousand dollar miracle and
five hundred thousand dollar miracle and
five hundred thousand dollar miracle and in my phone rings and the lady sitting
in my phone rings and the lady sitting
in my phone rings and the lady sitting mr. Phipps I’ve got a FedEx package here
mr. Phipps I’ve got a FedEx package here
mr. Phipps I’ve got a FedEx package here to send to you from Miss Oprah Winfrey
to send to you from Miss Oprah Winfrey
to send to you from Miss Oprah Winfrey where would you like me to send it I
where would you like me to send it I
where would you like me to send it I said well send it to the corporate
said well send it to the corporate
said well send it to the corporate office she said well there’s a special
office she said well there’s a special
office she said well there’s a special way she wants you to open it I said well
way she wants you to open it I said well
way she wants you to open it I said well send it to my home I got home I live in
send it to my home I got home I live in
send it to my home I got home I live in Vero Beach Florida I got home there was
Vero Beach Florida I got home there was
Vero Beach Florida I got home there was this beautifully wrapped box handwritten
this beautifully wrapped box handwritten
this beautifully wrapped box handwritten note thanking me for my ministry in her
note thanking me for my ministry in her
note thanking me for my ministry in her life for my prophetic words of wisdom
life for my prophetic words of wisdom
life for my prophetic words of wisdom for my kindness she was very generous in
for my kindness she was very generous in
for my kindness she was very generous in her words and I saw this envelope that
her words and I saw this envelope that
her words and I saw this envelope that she’d put in when I opened it she had
she’d put in when I opened it she had
she’d put in when I opened it she had put in a check for 1.2 million dollars
put in a check for 1.2 million dollars
put in a check for 1.2 million dollars and behind that envelope I saw another
and behind that envelope I saw another
and behind that envelope I saw another envelope dated January 1 2009 with
envelope dated January 1 2009 with
envelope dated January 1 2009 with another cheque for 1.2 million dollars
another cheque for 1.2 million dollars
another cheque for 1.2 million dollars and behind that envelope was another
and behind that envelope was another
and behind that envelope was another envelope with another check for 1.3
envelope with another check for 1.3
envelope with another check for 1.3 million dollars she sent about four
million dollars she sent about four
million dollars she sent about four million dollars in three envelopes and
million dollars in three envelopes and
million dollars in three envelopes and she called me from South Africa where
she called me from South Africa where
she called me from South Africa where she had gone to see her girl said did
she had gone to see her girl said did
she had gone to see her girl said did you get it I said oh thank you so much
you get it I said oh thank you so much
you get it I said oh thank you so much and then she emailed me and she
and then she emailed me and she
and then she emailed me and she you know I love giving and I love making
you know I love giving and I love making
you know I love giving and I love making it fun she said I considered sending you
it fun she said I considered sending you
it fun she said I considered sending you a FedEx envelope like three days in
a FedEx envelope like three days in
a FedEx envelope like three days in succession so Monday you get the first
succession so Monday you get the first
succession so Monday you get the first check Tuesday at the second check
check Tuesday at the second check
check Tuesday at the second check Wednesday hit their check she said but I
Wednesday hit their check she said but I
Wednesday hit their check she said but I figured by the fourth day you’d be
figured by the fourth day you’d be
figured by the fourth day you’d be chasing the FedEx man yeah she was right
chasing the FedEx man yeah she was right
chasing the FedEx man yeah she was right she was right here’s a woman who got the
she was right here’s a woman who got the
she was right here’s a woman who got the gene helping people live their potential
gene helping people live their potential
gene helping people live their potential she got it
she got it
she got it and you have it it is at the foundation
and you have it it is at the foundation
and you have it it is at the foundation of your success this G true story in New
of your success this G true story in New
of your success this G true story in New York City once they saw a disturbing
York City once they saw a disturbing
York City once they saw a disturbing crack appear on the 42nd floor of a
crack appear on the 42nd floor of a
crack appear on the 42nd floor of a high-rise apartment building and they
high-rise apartment building and they
high-rise apartment building and they sent the architect for the architect to
sent the architect for the architect to
sent the architect for the architect to come and investigate he arrived in the
come and investigate he arrived in the
come and investigate he arrived in the building the building manager he heard
building the building manager he heard
building the building manager he heard he was in the building and took the
he was in the building and took the
he was in the building and took the elevator up to the 42nd floor looking
elevator up to the 42nd floor looking
elevator up to the 42nd floor looking for him he couldn’t find him they said
for him he couldn’t find him they said
for him he couldn’t find him they said oh no no no he’s in the sixth basement
oh no no no he’s in the sixth basement
oh no no no he’s in the sixth basement six floors down so he then took the
six floors down so he then took the
six floors down so he then took the elevator to the sixth basement and he
elevator to the sixth basement and he
elevator to the sixth basement and he found the architect he said what you
found the architect he said what you
found the architect he said what you doing down here
doing down here
doing down here he said I’ll crack he’s on the 42nd
he said I’ll crack he’s on the 42nd
he said I’ll crack he’s on the 42nd floor he said your crack may be on the
floor he said your crack may be on the
floor he said your crack may be on the 42nd floor but your problem is not on
42nd floor but your problem is not on
42nd floor but your problem is not on the 42nd floor your problem is down here
the 42nd floor your problem is down here
the 42nd floor your problem is down here at the foundation true story what had
at the foundation true story what had
at the foundation true story what had happened was a security guard who worked
happened was a security guard who worked
happened was a security guard who worked in the building wanted to build a garage
in the building wanted to build a garage
in the building wanted to build a garage on to his house and didn’t have the
on to his house and didn’t have the
on to his house and didn’t have the money so every day before leaving work
money so every day before leaving work
money so every day before leaving work he would take the elevator to the sixth
he would take the elevator to the sixth
he would take the elevator to the sixth basement chisel out a brick put it in
basement chisel out a brick put it in
basement chisel out a brick put it in his bag and take it home and after five
his bag and take it home and after five
his bag and take it home and after five years of doing that a crack appeared on
years of doing that a crack appeared on
years of doing that a crack appeared on the 42nd floor
the 42nd floor
the 42nd floor when you are having difficulty making
when you are having difficulty making
when you are having difficulty making what you do successful don’t go looking
what you do successful don’t go looking
what you do successful don’t go looking to things what’s happening on the 42nd
to things what’s happening on the 42nd
to things what’s happening on the 42nd floor go back to your foundation go back
floor go back to your foundation go back
floor go back to your foundation go back to the HP LPG make sure that your about
to the HP LPG make sure that your about
to the HP LPG make sure that your about helping people live their potential I’m
helping people live their potential I’m
helping people live their potential I’m going to give you a couple quotes before
going to give you a couple quotes before
going to give you a couple quotes before I leave and these are the foundation of
I leave and these are the foundation of
I leave and these are the foundation of Who I am it is an acquired crucible of
Who I am it is an acquired crucible of
Who I am it is an acquired crucible of our personal private sufferings that our
our personal private sufferings that our
our personal private sufferings that our noblest dreams are born and our greatest
noblest dreams are born and our greatest
noblest dreams are born and our greatest gifts are given and often given in
gifts are given and often given in
gifts are given and often given in compensation
compensation
compensation for what we’ve been through it is in the
for what we’ve been through it is in the
for what we’ve been through it is in the quiet crucible of our personal private
quiet crucible of our personal private
quiet crucible of our personal private sufferings that our notice dreams are
sufferings that our notice dreams are
sufferings that our notice dreams are born and our greatest gifts are given
born and our greatest gifts are given
born and our greatest gifts are given and often given in compensation for what
and often given in compensation for what
and often given in compensation for what we have been through make sure that you
we have been through make sure that you
we have been through make sure that you never lose the power of this gene
never lose the power of this gene
never lose the power of this gene helping people live their potential and
helping people live their potential and
helping people live their potential and people may never know your name they may
people may never know your name they may
people may never know your name they may they may not
they may not
they may not but history will record
but history will record
but history will record history will record that there lived a
history will record that there lived a
history will record that there lived a man there lived a woman who helped
man there lived a woman who helped
man there lived a woman who helped people
people
people live their potential
”
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